LIVE: Sri Lanka lose openers after strong start in CWC25 tie
Sophie Devine and Chamari Athapaththu's sides will look to tick all the boxes and take the two points as CWC25 enters a crucial phase.
NEW ZEALAND v SRI LANKA, SCORECARD
New Zealand struck back with the key wickets of Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne, who had given Sri Lanka a solid start in their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 World Cup clash against Sri Lanka.
Sophie Devine provided the breakthrough, removing Athapaththu after her fluent fifty that included seven boundaries. The Sri Lanka skipper mistimed a slower delivery and was caught at deep cover before Rosemary Mair cleaned up Gunaratne soon after.
Gunaratne and Sri Lanka captain Athapaththu had provided Sri Lanka with a strong foundation, putting up a 100-run stand that steadied Sri Lanka’s innings and eased the early pressure. The partnership also marked their first century stand of the tournament while the duo also became Sri Lanka's most prolific opening pair in the process.
Athapaththu led the way for Sri Lanka, bringing up her 20th ODI fifty and her first of the tournament. Both openers enjoyed a slice of luck with New Zealand dropping chances before Sri Lanka crossed the 100-run mark.
Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu had won the toss and elected to bat first against New Zealand.
Openers lift Sri Lanka up against White Ferns | Powerplay Highlights | CWC25
Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunarathne get Sri Lanka rolling in Colombo against New Zealand during their ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 clash.
Both teams will hunt for a win to propel them in the points table as they face off at R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
The White Ferns had suffered successive defeats in their first two games of the campaign, with two disappointing outings against Australia and South Africa.
Led by their in-form skipper Sophie Devine, the reigning Women's T20 World Cup winners bounced back to pick up their first win of the campaign against Bangladesh, with Brooke Halliday, Jess Kerr and Lea Tahuhu shining.
Get your tickets now for ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025
A gripping tussle awaits between New Zealand and Sri Lanka | Will To Win Preview Show | CWC25
Crystal Arnold previews an important ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup clash between New Zealand and Sri Lanka.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka were handed a defeat by co-hosts India in the tournament opener despite having them in a chokehold at one stage.
Their second clash against Australia in Colombo was washed out without a ball being bowled but they went on to lose against England in their third encounter, with opposition skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt leading the way for her country with a sizzling century.
SQUADS:
New Zealand: Sophie Devine (c), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Hannah Rowe, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Melie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu
Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu, Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Dasanayaka, Udeshika Prabodani, Malki Madara, Achini Kulasooriya. Reserve: Inoshi Fernando
